The Best Wood for a Table Top (How To Choose)
When it comes to finding the perfect wood type for a dining room table top or other woodworking project it can be confusing. With so many different types of wood to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which wood species is best for your needs. This guide will help you navigate the important factors in your decision, the many different types of wood available and help you find the perfect choice for your solid wood dining table or woodworking project.
Appearance
The largest factor to consider when building your dining room table is your personal preference. When it comes to the appearance of your dining room table, there are many factors you need to consider when making your wood selection. Grain pattern and color, as well as the texture of the wood, are all important considerations. You also need to take into account the natural beauty of the wood and the finish you want.
The type of wood you choose will depend on the look you are trying to achieve. Hardwoods such as white oak, red oak, cherry, and walnut have a more pronounced grain pattern while others like poplar, birch, maple, and softwoods like pine do not. The color of the wood will also vary depending on the species. Some woods like walnut are dark brown with a rich grain pattern, while others like birch are light in color with a more uniform grain. The finish you choose will also affect the appearance of the wood. You do have the ability to apply wood stain to your tabletop but you still need to choose the best type of wood for your desired stain.
Durability
When selecting the best wood for a table top an important thing to consider is durability. You'll want a table that can withstand scratches, dents and other wear and tear over time. If you take care of solid wood tables properly they can last a very long time. As a general rule of thumb when selecting the best wood, hardwoods will be more durable than softwoods and will last longer. Most hardwoods used in the United States for wooden table tops are white oak, red oak, hard maple, cherry, and walnut. A popular softwood used in kitchen tables and coffee tables pine which is very cost effective but is suseptible to damage due to it being less durable.
You can even dive a little deeper by comparing the hardness of each type of wood you are considering. The Janka hardness scale measures the hardness of different types of wood, with higher numbers indicating a harder or more durable wood. The scale ranges from 0 (softest) to over 5000 (hardest). It is determined by determining the force required to embed a .444 inch steel ball into the wood to half its diameter. Most hardwoods fall between 1000 and 3000 on the Janka hardness scale. This makes them very durable and a good choice when looking for a table top. Softwoods on the other hand have a Janka hardness rating of under 1000, making them less durable but easier to work with. For instance, a softwood like pine would be less durable and more likely to dent with someone dropping a glass or plate on the wood table top than a kitchen table made from oak. But if your goal is a rustic look or a unique grain pattern in your woodworking than durability may not be an important factor.
Cost
When deciding on a choice of wood you may want to consider the cost of materials if you are on a budget or looking to save money. The type of wood you choose will impact your final cost of the woodworking project or dining room table your purchasing. The price of wood varies greatly from very inexpensive construction grade pine to high quality hardwoods like walnut, cherry, maple or oak. For instance, walnut has a much higher cost compared to pine, but it has more value with a beautiful grain pattern and is a more durable wood than pine. Even though hardwood lumber costs more they are extremely tough and will last for years with minimal wear and tear and can be easily refinished. Additionally, hardwoods are easy to clean, resist scratches and dents making them a good choice for families with children or for resturant tables with heavy use.
If your looking for the best option on a budget you can't beat pine wood for a rustic table. However when you are selecting the boards be very careful they are straight and not warped. Also pick out the boards with smooth grain patterns and minimal knots to give your dining space a modern look while still being rustic. You can also make your dining area and furniture piece have a sophisticated look by choosing darker stains. If you are on a budget don't let it limit you in your woodworking project, you can still build wood tabletops from construction grade lumber and have use modern styles.
If the cost of wood is not a big concern but your still looking for a cheap hardwood a popular choice is Oak. Red oak and white oak are great for small spaces and even a large dining area. Both red oak and white oak are hardwoods with high durability and are some of the cheapest hardwoods available. Red oak as the name suggests has a bit of a red tint due to the tanins in the wood but is easily stainable to dark browns. White oak is more rot-resistant than red oak and would be perfect for restaurant tables or an outdoor dining area. Both woods are a good choice for wood table tops and allow the design of the furniture piece to stand out rather than the oak wood. Oak is the perfect choice for a contemporary look while still saving money especially when you apply darker stains to the table.
If money is not an important thing your considering in building or buying a dining room table or coffee table then a more exotic and smooth grain hardwood would be the best wood to choose. While being more expensive than most hardwoods walnut seems to be the most popular choice due to its beautiful grain pattern and smooth texture. Also, depending on the availablity of wood in your area you could find some with a very unique grain pattern. Building a walnut table will shift the focal point of the table to the natural beauty of the wood and not necessarily the clean lines or modern styles in the furniture. By using a high quality or higher cost wood species you will be more likely to keep the table for a long time and your hard work will be enjoyed for years.
Maintenance
Maintaining a wood table top is key for both longevity and appearance, but the type of wood make a difference. By choosing a wood species with a smooth texture you can prevent any food or liquids from being lodged into the wood grain. For instance the wood grain of red oak has very open pores allowing crumbs or liquids to be trapped in the surface of the wood making it difficult to clean and maintain. You could however apply a finish that fills in the pores of the wood like polyurethane or another type of varnish but then the finish is suseptible to scratches and damage. If you choose a wood species with a smooth grain and closed pores like maple or walnut you prevent alot of maintenance issues, but at an increased cost. Regardless of the wood type you choose avoid using harsh chemicals or cleaning products as they can damage the finish and the wood itself. If a spill occurs, wipe it up immediately. If you regularly maintain a wood table top and use placemats and coasters if will last for many years and will continue looking great for a long time.
Choice of Finish
Choosing a finish for a wood table top is important because it will protect the wood from damage and extend the life of the table. I would argue that the choice of finish is a more important factor in a table than the wood itself. There are many different types of finishes available, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Some finishes are more durable and repairable, while others may be more resistant to scratches and staining. The most common finishes regardless of which type of wood you choose are varnishes, oils, and oil-wax finishes. Varnishes are the most common finish used on table tops and last longer than other finishes, but they also tend to be more difficult to repair if damaged. Oil finishes are also a populare choice which are absorbed into the wood and as it dries it forms a protective coating on the surface of the wood while hardening the wood fibers. Oil finishes are very easy to refinish and repair as well as enhance the natural beauty of the wood, but they do require periodic maintenance to reapply. My new favorite type of finish is an oil-wax based finish like Osmo Poly-X or Rubio Monocoat. Oil-wax finishes are very easy to apply and provide a very good level of protection for a wood table top as well as being repairable. They are a good trade off on protection and repairability while making it super easy to finish your project especially for a beginner woodworker or diy person. Whichever finish you do choose be sure to take time to read the maintenance instructions and follow them carefully.
Best Wood Species
Hard Maple
Hard maple wood is a moderately priced hardwood that is strong, dense and is a popular choice for use in furniture and flooring. Hard maple is a good choice if you are looking for a very uniform texture and grain pattern and good for large woodworking projects. It has a fine even texture and the color varies from light to dark reddish brown. Hard maple is relatively easy wood to work with and can be stained for a modern look.
Soft Maple
Soft maple is roughly 25% softer than hard maple and is very similar in most aspects. The wood is usually very straight-grained and the color is similar to hard maple with a light to dark reddish brown. Unlink hard maple, soft maple has darker colored pith flecks with look like random little lines throughout the wood giving it a unique look. Soft maple is popular choice for woodworking projects because it is easy to work with and can be stained or painted to match any color scheme.
Red Oak
Red oak wood is a strong, hard wood that is used in a variety of applications and very abundant in the United States. It has a reddish-brown color that varies from board to board and is mainly straight grained. Red oak has a unique texture due to the open pores of the wood grain which produce contrasting colors if stained. Red oak is typically the cheapest hardwood lumber available in the US and is the best choice for a budget hardwood. Don't let the cheap price deter you from red oak, you can still build a very high quality kitchen table with modern styles and love the results.
White Oak
White oak similar to red oak is a strong and heavy hardwood that used in furniture, flooring and outdoor projects. It's main attribute is that it's resistant to rot and decay which makes it a perfect choice for an outdoor table top. White oak has a light to medium brown color, with a straight grain and typically more figure than red oak. White oak does not have the red tint that red oak does so it would be a good choice if you were going for a lighter color stain or finish. White oak is usually more expensive than red oak due to its weather resistant properties but still is a relatively affordable hardwood.
Cherry
Cherry wood is another great wood to build a table top that is reddish-brown in color. It is a popular choice for furniture and cabinetry because of its appearance and durability. Cherry has a closed grain texture that makes it easy to maintain and give it a silky look. The smooth grain of the cherry wood will make the maintenance easy as well as resistant to staining and scratches.
Walnut
Walnut is one of the most expensive hardwoods that is used in solid wood tables. Walnut is a very hard, dense wood and used in furniture and cabinetry. The wood has a rich, dark color and a smooth finish. The unique grain pattern makes walnut a popular choice for high-end dining room tables or coffee tables. Walnut is known for its sophisticated look and is typically used in mid-centry modern furniture that has clean lines and a modern look. While choosing walnut lumber for a dining room table may be costly up front, but it would last a long time if completed with a reparable finish and timeless design.
Pine
Pine wood is a type of softwood that is typically light in color and has a straight grain depending on the quality you purchase. It's commonly used for construction, rustic furniture, for its affordability and availablity. Pine is sometimes thought of as the easiest wood to work with but it is very suseptible to dents, scratches and splitering. Pine can be used for a wood table top but may not hold up very well over time. With pine being a softwood you run the risk of your table denting easily or having large scratches in the wood itself which would be hard to repair. If you do choose to use pine wood for your table I would recommend using an oil or wax finish so that you are able to like a wax or oil finish. If your able to afford hardwood lumber
What wood should you choose?
Choosing the best wood for a table top may seem hard but the key is to just prioritize your goals. If you want form over function, or affordability over durability there is a good choice available. The key is to enjoy the process of building the dining room table and being happy with the results. I would recommend not using softwoods if your able to afford hardwood, if not choose a repairable finish that you can maintain for a long period of time.
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